Letters to the Editor - April 1, 2014

Published: Monday, March 31, 2014 at 11:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 31, 2014 at 11:08 p.m.

Good charters have nothing to hide

All charter schools are not the same. Most charter schools were created for the purpose of implementing innovative educational ideas or serving special populations. These schools have been very careful to follow public record and open meeting laws.

Most of them have spent every penny serving the students entrusted to them and then held fundraisers and written grants to secure additional funds. These schools take very seriously the charge to educate all children, and provide whatever services are required to meet the needs of every student, including those with special needs.

However, some charter schools are different. They were created for the purpose of making a profit. These appear to be the schools that are opposed to financial transparency – and with good reason. Any school that is taking public money and using it to fill private pockets instead of to educate children should be wary of full financial disclosure.

Even if charter schools are not required by law to follow open government laws, it is the right thing for them to do. Charter schools that are operating for the right reasons have nothing to hide and no reason not to fully disclose their records.

Rene Lemons, Wilmington

The writer is a founding teacher at the Cape Fear Center for Inquiry, a charter school in Wilmington.

Cut-rate bonds increase crime

A recent local news program brought attention to the bail bonding situation in New Hanover County. As stated, bondsmen will now charge as little as 6 percent of the total bond amount. Bondsmen accept the liability of the remaining 94 percent and the defendant is released from custody.

Even a 6 percent fee can amount to a substantial amount of money. A few years ago the standard bond fee was 15 percent. Competition has steadily brought fees lower resulting in more defendants being released.

Bondsmen typically receive the total fee prior to release, with the defendant promising to pay the remaining 3 percent, usually on a payment plan. … Drug dealers and users are not going to get a job to pay the bondsman. But if they do not pay they will be returned to jail.

So what do they do? They make money the same way they did before their arrests, (by committing crimes).

The practice of allowing defendants to get out of jail at half price promotes continued criminal activity, for which we suffer.

Randall Rusch, Wilmington

Contraception is not a health issue

Enough about the contraception debate. I support the Affordable Care Act, although I also think it needs tweaking. If the GOP would get its act together, serious debate with healthy compromises could make it a milestone achievement.

I do not understand why taxpayers should pay for protected sex. It has nothing to do with public health, treatment of illness and injury, or preventive health measures. Other than condoms, most forms of contraception do not prevent STDs.

It is a socioeconomic issue. People who want contraceptives but can't afford them need to find a different source of funding. We as a country pay more than any other western nation for health care. We have mediocre results to show for the investment.

Depending on corporate America to finance our health care is ridiculous. It adds a large cost to overhead and contributes to job outsourcing. Stop listening to the endless rhetoric demonizing taxes. If you want better roads, schools, public services, and yes health care; it will require revenue.

<p class="bold allcaps">Good charters have nothing to hide</p>
<p>All charter schools are not the same. Most charter schools were created for the purpose of implementing innovative educational ideas or serving special populations. These schools have been very careful to follow public record and open meeting laws.</p><p>Most of them have spent every penny serving the students entrusted to them and then held fundraisers and written grants to secure additional funds. These schools take very seriously the charge to educate all children, and provide whatever services are required to meet the needs of every student, including those with special needs.</p><p>However, some charter schools are different. They were created for the purpose of making a profit. These appear to be the schools that are opposed to financial transparency – and with good reason. Any school that is taking public money and using it to fill private pockets instead of to educate children should be wary of full financial disclosure.</p><p>Even if charter schools are not required by law to follow open government laws, it is the right thing for them to do. Charter schools that are operating for the right reasons have nothing to hide and no reason not to fully disclose their records.</p><p><i></p><p>Rene Lemons, Wilmington</p><p>The writer is a founding teacher at the Cape Fear Center for Inquiry, a charter school in Wilmington.</i></p><h3>Cut-rate bonds increase crime</h3>
<p>A recent local news program brought attention to the bail bonding situation in New Hanover County. As stated, bondsmen will now charge as little as 6 percent of the total bond amount. Bondsmen accept the liability of the remaining 94 percent and the defendant is released from custody. </p><p>Even a 6 percent fee can amount to a substantial amount of money. A few years ago the standard bond fee was 15 percent. Competition has steadily brought fees lower resulting in more defendants being released.</p><p>Bondsmen typically receive the total fee prior to release, with the defendant promising to pay the remaining 3 percent, usually on a payment plan. … Drug dealers and users are not going to get a job to pay the bondsman. But if they do not pay they will be returned to jail.</p><p>So what do they do? They make money the same way they did before their arrests, (by committing crimes).</p><p>The practice of allowing defendants to get out of jail at half price promotes continued criminal activity, for which we suffer.</p><p><i></p><p>Randall Rusch, Wilmington</p><p></i></p><h3>Contraception is not a health issue</h3>
<p>Enough about the contraception debate. I support the Affordable Care Act, although I also think it needs tweaking. If the GOP would get its act together, serious debate with healthy compromises could make it a milestone achievement.</p><p>I do not understand why taxpayers should pay for protected sex. It has nothing to do with public health, treatment of illness and injury, or preventive health measures. Other than condoms, most forms of contraception do not prevent STDs. </p><p>It is a socioeconomic issue. People who want contraceptives but can't afford them need to find a different source of funding. We as a country pay more than any other western nation for health care. We have mediocre results to show for the investment. </p><p>Depending on corporate America to finance our health care is ridiculous. It adds a large cost to overhead and contributes to job outsourcing. Stop listening to the endless rhetoric demonizing taxes. If you want better roads, schools, public services, and yes health care; it will require revenue.</p><p><i></p><p>Thomas G. Wright, Hampstead</i></p>